Okay, you’re familiar with RSS (Really Simple Syndication). You subscribe to some feeds. But, you’re having a hell of a time keeping them organized. Enter the OPML Reading List.
First off, OPML stands for Outline Processor Markup Language, but drop off the last 3/4 of the acronym and you get the idea of what it is, an outline (of feed subscriptions.) OPML makes it easy to manage and port your syndicated content subscriptions allowing you to share them between readers, devices and users.
An OPML Reading List can be accessed via url rather than simply as a file download. This makes it possible for people to subscribe to a dynamic reading list rather than having to import a new file every time the outline changes. Web developers can create a reading list for clients to subscribe to. Colleagues can share subscriptions. Bloggers can show you what they’re reading. It’s only a matter of time until you’ll be able to subscribe to celebrity reading lists.
OPML gained some attention from Dave Winer, Richard MacManus, and others last month with the release of the 2.0 spec. But, it’s the Reading List idea that will give it legs.
Q. Why are you writing about OPML Reading Lists now?
A. We quietly added OPML Reading List generation to Feed Rinse a few weeks ago. So, together with our bookmarklet, a single click will allow you to add or remove a feed from your very own Reading List. As the idea catches on, it’s going to have a dramatic impact on the way users get their news and information.
8 Responses to “Meet your new friend, the OPML Reading List”
Now the rss readers need to get on the ball and allow us to subscribe to reading lists. You’re right, OPML itself only gets you half way there - it’s the reading list that will be significant.
Try this reader for something that generates OPML for your entire reading list. I’ll soon be adding support for generating OPML based on the reader’s tagging system.
http://www.shokk.com/blog/articles/tag/feedonfeeds
Alek, I’m right there with you - I got my pom poms and striped skirt and I’m cheering ‘em on… okay, I might have given away too much.
Ernie, does Feed on Feeds allow you to subscribe to a reading list? Generating the OPML isn’t what’s bringing me down, it’s getting a reader to subscribe to a dynamic OPML reading list (url).
> An OPML Reading List is a url rather than a file.
Actually, it is a file. I can see why you wouldn’t think of it as one, because most users never will save the file to their local computer. But you could save it, and do things with it, like model your own reading list after it.
You’re right Amy - misleading sentence. I’ll adjust the post. Thanks.
Aaron-
Yes, you can import an OPML reading list with FeedOnFeeds in the Add Feeds dialog. I had the change to use it when Dave Winer posted his Yankees Reading list. =)
Thanks Ernie. I’ll check it out.
[...] Dave Winer scratches the surface of what could be done with opml reading lists. Mining for popular blog feeds is made easy when throngs of blog consumers are willing to volunteer what they’re reading. And to me, finding relevant feeds is more important than finding interesting posts. With new blogs popping up by the minute, discovering the relevant ones is becoming increasingly difficult. [...]